Looking for the ultimate baseball experience in the South Sound? Head to Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, WA, where every Friday home game ends with a spectacular fireworks show that will light up your night. From thrilling baseball action to tasty treats, friendly mascots, and a lively crowd, the Rainiers experience is packed with non-stop excitement. Whether you’re here for the game or the post-game pyrotechnics, every Friday is a chance to create life-long memories with those you love.
Seattle’sChild
March/April 2025 // Issue 510
“Seattle is my town. I know this city inside and out… or so I thought until I had kids.”
Seattle’s Child is your guide to getting to know your city all over again. Finding things to do, places to eat, and how to get around — it’s a whole new ballgame with kids in tow. We’re interested in how parents make homes in a space-challenged urban environment, how families create community, and what parents are really talking about.
Seattle’s Child reflects real Washington families and their broad range of parenting experiences.
»What Parents Are Talking About
Why special education funding matters
Every morning, the school bus pulls up in front of our house. My daughter Paloma grins into the wind as she rises on the wheelchair lift and sometimes says her only word: “Up!” On board, she enjoys one-on-one attention
from the health monitor — who calls her “princess” and sings to her — but whose essential job is to guard her safety in case she has a seizure.
Paloma had a brain injury at her premature birth, resulting in epilepsy, vision impairment,
and cerebral palsy; her brain has trouble controlling her muscles, including the ones used to speak. But she clearly understands a lot of what we say. She cackles at old Sesame Street skits and finds trumpet fanfares hilarious.
When she gets to school, she rolls into her Medically Fragile public school class-
room, where her wonderful teacher and two wonderful paraeducators work with up to six students. The classroom has all kinds of cool equipment: adaptive tricycles, a big swing, and an apparatus to help a kid stand up. Specialists rotate through every week: a physical therapist, an occupational
Paloma deserves equal access to education story and photograph by ALEXANDRA BRADBURY
Paloma getting on the bus for school.
Your guide to a kidfriendly city
«What Parents Are Talking About
of a hat. What happens to districts where more students have IEPs? Tough luck, that’s what.
therapist, a speech pathologist, and a teacher of the visually impaired.
Together they are helping Paloma work toward an ambitious goal that could crack her world open: learning to communicate through an electronic device. Eventually, she will manipulate a button near her head with her ear to scan through menus and then a button at her hand to select words — a lot more challenging than the way I learned to talk! But Paloma is stubborn, cheerful, and curious. I think she will get there.
Paloma must be costing the Seattle Public Schools far more than the average kid — all that equipment and staff — but it’s not like she’s getting more than her fair share. Federal law guarantees her the support she needs for equal access to education. Generations of disabled people and parents fought for this, putting an end to the “bad old days” when districts would turn away kids like Paloma or warehouse them.
The money has to come from somewhere, though, and the federal government sends only a fraction. At the heart of the budget crisis that Seattle and many other school districts across Washington face is state underfunding, even though our constitution couldn’t be clearer that “amply” funding public schools is the state’s “paramount duty.”
A major factor is a cruel, arbitrary funding formula for special education. The state recognizes that special ed costs extra and increases per-student funding for students who have Individualized Education Plans — but not enough to cover the actual costs, and only up to a cap of 16 percent of students, an unscientific figure apparently pulled out
While a specialized classroom is right for Paloma, many disabled students benefit from integration with the rest of the student body. This, too, is a legal right that activists fought for: the least restrictive environment in which each student can receive an appropriate education. But inclusion done right also costs money — it can’t just provide cover for a cash-strapped district to throw another kid into an already overcrowded classroom. Success requires smaller classes and more educators with the right skills in the room.
Special education funding bills introduced this year in both the Washington Senate and House of Representatives would fix the funding formula by increasing the dollars per disabled student, eliminating the arbitrary cap on the number of students, and reducing the threshold for additional “safety net” reimbursement.
School districts are backing these sorely needed improvements for special ed, along with funding fixes for transportation and supplies, as the “Big 3.” Visionary grassroots activists are taking it one step further and calling for the “Big 5,” which adds two more points: equitable distribution of funds around the state and, crucially, generating the needed revenue by taxing the rich. We live in a wealthy state, after all. There’s no reason that Paloma and every student in Washington shouldn’t have the education they deserve.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Alexandra Bradbury is the parent of a second grader in the Medically Fragile program at Green Lake Elementary in Seattle.
» Dad Next Door
A little encouragement from across the fence
by JEFF LEE, MD
Things change
One strange thing about parenthood is that every passing phase feels permanent, even when things are changing almost every day.
I remember sleep training my 6-month-old daughter. I lay in bed clenching my teeth, feeling like her screams had gone on forever. Surely this was causing permanent brain damage — if not to her, then to me and her mother. Then I checked the clock. She’d been crying for twelve minutes.
That was the first of many times that I’ve found myself in a P.T.D.F. — “Parental Temporal Distortion Field.” For a while, I was convinced that I’d be changing her diapers forever. Then came the phase when I knew she’d never sleep in her own bed again. And, of course, there were those two weeks when she was doing that nervous blinking thing, which in my mind was the start of her lifelong struggle with Tourette Syndrome. These were all just warm-ups for her years as a snarky teenager, when it was clear that she’d never let me appear in public with her again.
I thought the good stuff would last forever, too. I was convinced that she’d always want me to chase her around the room pretending to be a monster. For the rest of our lives, I expected to be hoisting her up on my shoulders and making her laugh by talking like Donald Duck. Of course, I’d always be able to play catch with her, or get her to go feed the ducks with me. And most of all, she’d always be my little girl, with no interest in sex, drugs, or expensive hair products. Right? I mean, how could that ever change?
I think the P.T.D.F. exists because we and our kids really do exist on different timelines. By the time we start a family, the pace of change has slowed in our lives. From one year to the next, our evolution is incremental — thirty-something me wasn’t all that different from forty-something me. But over that same decade, my kids transformed from adorable little preschoolers to hormone-crazed adolescents with learner’s permits.
It’s difficult to maintain a close, intimate relationship with a creature that’s evolving like a shape-shifter in a science fiction movie. Your role in their life keeps changing. In the beginning, you’re their protector and provider. Then you’re their
guide and mentor. For a while, you may be their oppressor and tormentor. Then, suddenly, you’re just a distant voice in their head as they venture out to make their way in the world.
Eventually, though, their timeline bends back toward ours, and things settle down. We and they develop a new kind of relationship, between two adults, and we get to shed the skins of those other roles and become something new to them. But just when we get used to this new equilibrium, it evaporates too. One day, you look in the mirror and you realize that you’re the one who’s changing. Now it’s your child’s turn to discover that nothing stays the same — not even you.
Last month, I went to visit my 98-year-old mom at the nursing facility where she’s winding down her long, full life. Everytime I see her, she lets go of a few more memories and a few more pieces of our shared past — a few more layers of skin.
The day I arrived, she was alert, and she knew I was her son — though she wasn’t certain which one. The next morning, though, that awareness slipped away. She studied my face, trying to figure out if she knew me. When I told her who I was she nodded politely, as if I had said I was a new nurse’s aide, or the UPS guy.
Still, we spent a lovely morning sitting in a little garden under an orange tree. I would write something on a whiteboard, since she’d lost her hearing aids again, and she’d nod and smile, and say something completely unrelated. It reminded me of time spent with an infant — completely in the moment, with no goal or agenda other than to be in each other’s company.
After I wheeled her back to her room, I knelt down and kissed her on the cheek. Suddenly she looked into my eyes and smiled, then put her hand on my face. We stayed like that for a long time. In her eyes, I saw a look of recognition — not recognition of a son who had known her his entire life, but simply of another human being with whom she shared some sudden, miraculous, inexplicable bond of love. I’m guessing that’s how she looked at me the day I was born. I suspect that’s how I’ll look at my daughters when my own arc is nearly at its end.
»ToolBox
What every parent needs to have on hand
Can tantrums be tamed?
A survival guide for both of you
by DR. SUSANNA BLOCK
Parenting is a wild, wonderful and sometimes crazy-making ride.
Let’s take a moment to talk about temper tantrums or when our children go from calm to tornado. First, it’s normal, challenging and we have all been there. Parents get a special badge for patience with tantrums (and some grace for when we lose our patience). But why do they happen? Temper tantrums are usually a result of feelings that our children just haven’t learned to express. Understanding what’s happening and some care can help you both get through it.
The whats and whys of temper tantrums
Tantrums can look different in different children, but what they have in common is that they are emotional outbursts. Some children cry, scream or kick, while others may hold their breath. It’s a difficult phase when you are in the middle of it, but remember that tantrums are common for children 1 to 3 years old. Older children may also have occasional tantrums.
When a child doesn’t know how to express their needs or wants or has big feelings like fear, shame, or anger, it can feel confusing and frustrating. They are still learning to communicate, and their social, emotional, and language skills aren’t always up to the task.
What to do with a temper tantrum
When your kid goes from adorable to screams in 30 seconds because they can’t have the sandwich they want or, say, they just noticed their shirt is green, it causes some emotional whiplash for parents, too. Your mission is to weather the storm calmly and safely for both of you. Once it is triggered, you might not be able to stop a tantrum, but you can:
• Stay calm: Children react to your reaction. A composed response can help deescalate the situation and model calm behavior.
• Make sure they are safe: While it can be embarrassing if your child has a tantrum on a busy sidewalk, the most important thing is: Are they safe? Move to a safe space. Keep them from traffic and other harm. Staying right where you are, even if it’s disturbing others, might be the safest thing at that moment.
• Acknowledge their needs: Calmly acknowledge what they are feeling, without trying to reason with them — they aren’t in a headspace to reason right now! Let them know you see they are upset and that they have needs. Avoid giving them special attention or giving in to demands. Giving in can reward the tantrum or teach them to rely on crying and screaming to get what they want.
• Comfort them after the tantrum: Once they have calmed down, reassure your child that they are safe, and you are still there with them. It can help if you discuss the tantrum or the feelings, but discussions may depend on your child and their temperament. Comfort yourself a little too; take a deep breath.
Can you avoid tantrums
Maybe. Most kids have some meltdowns and tantrums during early years. If you learn to look for the signs, you may be able to avert a tantrum. But if one erupts, try to remember it’s a normal part of child development. A few things that might help avoid tantrums:
• Offer your child choices: Control over small decisions, like picking a snack, helps them learn to make decisions and gives children a sense of control.
• Identify situations that set it off: Stress, hunger, tiredness, and overstimulation can all lead to tantrums. Tantrums often happen in repeated, predictable situations like when doing homework or at bedtime, so think about how you can manage your
routine at those times to address the feelings that come up.
• Talk about feelings: Help your child label feelings and explore them. It’s harder to cope with those big feelings when you don’t understand what they are and that everyone has them.
Will they grow out of it?
As children grow up and develop better communication and self-regulation skills, tantrums generally become less frequent. But every child is different, and they may come and go. For some children with additional needs, such as autism, tantrums may be more frequent or severe and professional advice can help you manage them.
Tantrums are normal, but if your child starts having more intense, frequent or longer tantrums, or harms themselves or others during tantrums, talk to your provider.
Tantrums are really stressful for parents, too. Give yourself a little applause for dealing with them. If you do feel out of control, unreasonably angry or are having serious stress because of your child’s tantrums, seek help for yourself as well.
ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST
Dr. Susanna Block, MD, MPH, is a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Seattle and lives with her family in Queen Anne.
SPONSORED BY
5
Right under your nose
Taste your way down ‘Donut Row’
Within about a 12-block radius on Seattle’s Capitol Hill are five of the city’s most popular donut haunts, each with its unique approach to the perfect fried dough circle. Start your donut tour at new-to-Seattle Voodoo Doughnuts on E. Pine, then walk on to Half and Half Doughnut Co., Top Pot Donuts, Mighty-O Donuts, and Dough Joy. Hint to prevent sugar overload: Share one confection at each stop. —Cheryl Murfin
Check “DoughnutoutMiss This: UltimateSeattle’sDonut Trail” online at 3Seattleschild.com
»Romp
Things to do with kids
Where to whale watch
Whales, particularly orcas, are a central symbol of Puget Sound. How about catching a glimpse of these great creatures in the local waters they roam?
There are plenty of whalewatching tours to take you out to sea, but there are also a number of on-shore spots where, if you’re lucky, you may spot a whale spouting, splashing its tail or, if
you’re really fortunate, breaching. Here’s where to go and what to watch for.
Who’s there?
Two Washington organizations — the Whale Trail and Orca Network — provide excellent information about and advocacy on behalf of the whales that swim the Salish Sea (Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia and Juan
The iconic Southern Resident orcas and Bigg’s (transient) orcas, identified by their unique dorsal fins and saddle patches, are well known in these waters. Three other whales migrate here as well: grays, humpbacks, and minkes. Where to go
The Whale Trail website offers maps of on-shore sites for whale viewing. Some of the best spots include:
San Juan Island: It's a multiCONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
1
Seattle Children’s Theatre SEATTLE
Three words: Top. Notch. Performances. Seattle Children’s Theatre’s professional troupe consistently brings thought-provoking plays and beloved children’s books to life for kids young and old. Children ages two and under are free if they sit on a parent’s lap. Tickets: $43/ adult, $35/child
2
Studio East
KIRKLAND
Mainstage productions at Kirkland’s Studio East are casual, comfortable, and welcoming to even very small children. See young performers shine in highquality, fully produced musicals and plays for all ages. Tickets: $25/adult, $20/student (all ages)
3
Broadway Bound SEATTLE
Kids watching kids perform. What better way to get little ones excited about theater?
At Broadway Bound, kid actors ages 5 to 18 put on full-scale productions of shows like “The Wizard of Oz,” in Magnuson Park. Tickets: $12
Centerstage Theatre FEDERAL WAY
The Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) program at Centerstage brings all the skill and excitement of its professional main stage shows to performances curated just for kids ages 3 to 10. Tickets: $15
4 5
Village Theater KIDSTAGE
ISSAQUAH & EVERETT
When it comes to professional musicals, Village Theater beats the band. That same high-level hum is in youth-led KIDSTAGE summertime musicals and other productions like “Shrek, Jr.” and “A Wrinkle in Time.” Tickets: $17, PLUS “pay as you will” performances —Cheryl Murfin
de Fuca).
In search of Puget Sound's biggest mammals by LAURA MURRAY / photograph by JOSHUA HUSTON
Louise Cihon watching for whales at the Charles Richey Viewpoint at Alki Beach.
«Romp
day adventure, but San Juan Island, 80 miles and a ferry ride north of Seattle, is on the whale map. Lime Kiln State Park is known as one of the best places in the world to watch whales. From May to September, three pods of southern resident orcas (J, K and L pods) can be seen, often close to shore. Keep your eyes open for minke whales, too. While on the island, there are three additional Whale Trail sites to explore as well. Check them all out online at 3thewhaletrail.org. Note that a Discover Pass is required at Lime Kiln State Park.
Across the island in Friday Harbor, The Whale Museum is a great place to learn about whale bones, conservation, sightings and more. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for ages 5 and under.
Whidbey Island: March through May, you could spot a special group of gray whales, known as “the sounders,” as they feed on ghost shrimp just offshore near the town of Langley. In the fall, Southern Resident orcas visit Admiralty Inlet, located between Whidbey Island and the northeastern part of the Olympic Peninsula. Bigg’s (transient) orcas
Boat tours
Most whale boat tours offer sighting guarantees and many deliver on it. Or consider a guided kayak whale watching trip. San Juan Island's Sea Quest offers six-hour whale paddles for all ages ($139 per person). Choose tours that abide by 3bewhalewise.org responsible watching guidelines.
and humpbacks roam these waters throughout the year.
The Orca Network museum in Langley is well worth a visit. The organization has created a map of on-shore locations with links to hydrophones to whale sounds. Learn more at 3orcanetwork.org.
Finally, grab your binoculars and head to Whale Bell Park where, if you see a whale,
you are invited to ring the bell to let others know.
West Seattle: Fall and winter are the best times for spotting Southern Resident orcas as they follow the salmon around the bend from Alki Beach to Lincoln Park beach. Bigg’s (transient) orcas can usually be seen year-round and humpback and gray whales, occasionally. Besides Lincoln and Alki, West Seattle has two other fantastic whale-spotting sites — Charles Richey Viewpoint and Emma Schmitz Overlook. It takes patience to spot a whale. Give the young ones a “wiggle break” at the Whale Tail playground near Alki Beach.
Vashon: A ferry ride across the water from Lincoln Park in West Seattle, to Point Robinson on Vashon Island is an official Whale Trail site. If you’d like to stay for the night, two lighthouse keeper’s quarters are available to rent.
Before you go
• Set expectations with your kids. You may not spot a whale on the day you go, but the fun is in the search.
• Check out whale sightings on the Orca Network’s Facebook page.
• The “Viewing Guide” on The Whale Trail website offers helpful tips about where and how to spot marine life.
• Bring binoculars that are lightweight and easy for kids to hold.
• Read Orca Rescue! The true story of an Orphaned Orca named Springer, by West Seattle resident and Whale Trail founder Donna Sandstrom. The book is based on her personal experience rescuing a baby orca.
A southern resident orca in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Give Back Volunteer together for Plymouth Housing
Calling families who love to cook. Plymouth Housing needs volunteers to help make meals for residents in supportive housing in Seattle. Just put out a call to friends with kids or your extended local family and sign up to provide food and necessary materials (plates, cutlery, napkins, cups, etc.) for 50 servings. Plymouth buildings have large community kitchens for food preparation, but the organization also encourages volunteers to make and bring ready-to-heat meals from home. Volunteer groups should be between four and 12 people. Don’t love to cook? Volunteer groups can also host game days, help in community and garden spaces, and more. Reach out to Bryanna Trujillo at 3btrujillo@plymouthhousing.org. —Cheryl Murfin
»Care
Creating communities where kids flourish
Kids Coming Together
Kids and teens connect through public service
by NILS DAHLGREN
Here’s what Ishaan Agarwal knows: “Leadership is not about control but about helping people work together to achieve a goal.”
It’s a lesson the Issaquah High School senior learned through his participation in Kids Coming Together (KCT), a Sammamish-based nonprofit that connects kids in grades three through eight with teen leaders in grades nine through 12 around shared interests and community service projects.
As participants describe the experience, KCT is a social organization with a volunteer component as well as a volunteer organization with a social component. Its events are a great way for kids of all ages to make a difference in their community and build friendships.
Deb Carmichael, KCT executive director, sums up the mission this way: “If kids get into the car after one of our events, and they have something bubbling out of them they just can’t wait to share with a parent or family member, then it’s been a success.” What causes that sort of
enthusiasm? Each KCT event offers the chance to make a connection with real people or places.
“Maybe it’s learning that the books they are packaging will travel halfway around the world to other kids who are learning to read English,” says Carmichael. “Or maybe it’s just learning that they like the same movies as one of their teen leaders.”
The organization shoots for hosting multiple events each month. They have packaged donated books and toys and pulled together hygiene bags for those in need, including personal notes to recipients in the region and abroad. They have also facilitated pen pal letter-writing events and led cleanup efforts in area parks.
Kids Coming Together was founded in 2016. Carmichael
came on board in 2019 and has worked with the organization’s Board of Directors and Youth Board to grow and expand the program’s reach. Teen board members devote their time helping expand KCT and in doing so develop critical leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills. Last year, nearly 950 youth participants and more than
photograph by JOSHUA HUSTON
Lily, Vedhika, and Vanshika (left to right) packing hygiene bags at a recent KCT event.
500 teen volunteers participated in events.
“The events team really tries to find new and interesting events that are both feasible and cater to the different interests of the kids,” says Shreya Ambekar, a senior at Eastlake High School and president of the KCT Youth Board. “We want a good balance between continuing past events that have been really popular and new opportunities to impact the community.”
All KCT events are free and are open to youth and teens from throughout the region. The group relies on donations and sponsorships to ensure that there are no barriers to participation.
Tanya Nair, also an Eastlake High School senior and the fundraising chairperson for KCT, has been involved with the nonprofit since she
was in sixth grade.
“I found out about KCT through my mom, who saw a post on Facebook, and I attended off and on up until COVID,” Nair says. “When events started back up again, KCT’s role changed for me. I wasn’t just coming to have fun or fulfill volunteer requirements for high school, but to rebuild my social skills and reconnect with people in-person.
making new friends while working toward a common goal. Youth participants are organized into small pods, each with a set of teen leaders. As they work, teens and younger volunteers discover common interests and ideas.
“Leadership is not about control but about helping people work together to achieve a goal.”
—ISHAAN AGARWAL Issaquah High School senior
“The connections were so valuable to me because they were confidence building at a time I really needed it,” Nair adds.
That — coming together and connecting — is the heart of KCT.
Events are structured to welcome everyone and create a low-risk environment for
Carmichael says that about half of all youth and teen volunteers return to participate in other events after their initial experience. Seeing those repeat attendees become more comfortable interacting with each other and excited about their work helping others motivates Carmichael to keep growing the program.
Ishaan Agarwal, the Issaquah High student and KCT’s vice president of marketing, says he loves the recurring events and that he especially looks forward to LEGO Gifting.
It’s so much more than a gift!
Washington State Heirloom Birth Certificate
A portion of the proceeds from each birth certificate benefits the Children’s Trust Fund of Washington, administered by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families Strengthening Families Program.
• This official birth certificate is personally signed by the Governor and State Registrar.
That’s when participants come together to build with and then bag up donated LEGOS, which are then sent to KidVantage and distributed to children in need.
Ishaan says he believes his experience with Kids Coming Together will benefit him far beyond his time with the organization. “Being able to connect and interact with different ages and personalities will be important when I get to college and into the workforce,” he says.
Volunteer activities typically last 60 to 90 minutes and teen leaders are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to an event. Upcoming events include making and donating dog toys to the Seattle Humane Society and painting fence posts at Big Rock Park in Sammamish.
To register to participate in upcoming events, visit 3kidscomingtogether.org/ upcoming-events.
• Frameable keepsake.
• For each $45 purchase of an Heirloom Birth Certificate, $20 is tax deductible.
To find out more information on Children’s Trust and child abuse prevention in Washington State visit: www.dcyf.wa.gov/about/governmentcommunity/community-engagement or visit the Department of Health to order your own Heirloom Birth Certificate.
DCYF FS_0010 (09-19)
• Certificate is 8 1/2 x 11 and includes the name, date and place of birth, as well as the name and birthplace of the parent(s).
Beginning in March, Tilth Alliance will restart familyfriendly Monday work parties at the Children’s Learning Garden at Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford. The garden is maintained by the organization’s Youth and Families and Natural Yard Care programs. All ages of volunteers are invited to help with planting, weeding, digging, push mowing, watering, harvesting, garden bed preparation and creation, and trellis building. It’s a great chance for kids to learn by doing. Email Benay at 3benayoconnell@tilth alliance.org. —Cheryl Murfin
Building Relationships in Our Neighborhoods, One Tree at a Time
BY KAUSTUBH DEO, PRESIDENT OF BLOOMA TREE EXPERTS
Weare lucky to live in a city like Seattle, where folks value our trees.
In our city, the majority of homeowners understand that trees bring beauty, peace, and calm to our surroundings. Parents encourage children to take a close look at trees and appreciate the habitat they provide for birds and squirrels (and yes… sometimes unwanted pests, too). Their canopies impact our neighborhood streets by providing shade on hot days, and they make our air cleaner.
As a Seattle-area tree service owner, I’ve had the opportunity to chat with other tree service owners nationwide. They are shocked to hear my stories of how much our clients care about their trees. In many cities, homeowners view their trees as a nuisance, just a cost center to be managed.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Trees can also help us build community. Today, more than ever, we are in desperate need of connection. We want to be seen by our neighbors, and we want our kids to play together.
Most homeowners have trees near their edges of their property, with the canopies crossing over into their neighbors’ properties. This can cause conflict around how the tree should be managed, who should pay for it, and how quickly it should be done. Given Seattle’s cultural focus on preserving trees, I would encourage you to take a community-oriented approach to tree management.
Use those shared trees as an icebreaker to meet and build neighborly relationships before the trees
become a point of conflict. Ask them questions, like “Are any trees along our shared property line causing concern?”
AVOID PROPERTY CONFLICT
Trees are amazing community assets that should unite neighbors, not pit them against one another. And look, I’m not naive—I get it—people will often have different priorities, opinions, or budgets when it comes to tree management.
We have been caught in the middle of many neighbor disputes. In those situations, a good outcome involves each neighbor hiring their own ISA-certified arborist to give opinions. In a bad outcome, each hires a lawyer.
A proactive approach to tree management is the best way to limit the odds of conflict and increase the odds of connection. When you’re proactive, you can enter the conversation with no agenda other than to build a partnership with your neighbor. By the time the trees present an issue, it’s too late – now both parties have an agenda.
BRINGING A NEIGHBORHOOD TOGETHER
We recently got a call from a homeowner who had a majestic old Big Leaf Maple that had a significant portion of their tree fall and crash to the ground. They called us to look and confirm whether the tree remained viable. When our ISA-certified and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Arborist examined the tree, he found significant damage and structural integrity issues, leading it to be classified as a hazardous tree.
We mobilized a crew to remove the tree. The homeowner notified his neighbors of what was happening and many came out to pay their last respects to the tree before our crew got to work. A goodbye poem was wrapped around the tree.
Even in a sad moment, the tree can provide a foundation to bring a neighborhood together.
The good news is that most of the time, with some healthy neighbor cooperation, we can preserve our big trees (and little ones, too)! Potential options include installing dynamic cables to provide structural support, tip weight reductions to reduce weight on the over-extended limbs, and soil amendments to help the tree access the nutrients it needs.
WHAT CAN BLOOMA DO FOR YOU?
As a locally owned and operated small business, our team is also a community member. We have a vested interest in the Greater Seattle Area remaining a city that values our urban forest, and we’re proud to do our part to preserve those trees.
At Blooma Tree Experts, our mission is to be a source of safety, inspiration, and peace—for each other and for our community. We aim to accomplish that mission by empowering our passionate arborists to do great tree work. We look forward to supporting you and your neighbors. ■
WHEN YOU HAVE AN ARBORIST ON YOUR PROPERTY, HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK:
Are you an ISA-certified arborist?
To become an ISA-certified arborist, one must have 3+ years of tree work experience and pass a certification exam. We consider that a minimum threshold for anyone giving professional advice about trees.
Are you on commission?
There’s nothing wrong with being on commission, but it’s good information for you as a homeowner, given the potential for incentive misalignment. At Blooma, we have chosen not to have our arborists on commission so they can truly act as trusted advisors.
Can you provide me with some options?
A good arborist should be able to provide you with different options to meet your budget & objectives.
Are your crews part of your company? Do they have ISA-certified arborists on the crew?
This helps you confirm that the arborist won’t just subcontract the work to a different company. They should know their crew well. Crew training is also crucial—the best case is to have ISA-certified arborists on the crew.
Does your company use climbing spurs when pruning trees?
Climbing arborists commonly use climbing spurs to help them access trees. However, these cause small wounds to trees and should only be used for tree removal work. All tree pruning work should be done solely by rope access, also called “spurless climbing.” Not all climbing arborists are proficient at spurless climbing.
Will you handle permitting & required public notices?
Some arborists handle permitting inhouse, and some expect the clients to do it. It’s important for you to know who is managing code compliance. Blooma takes care of permits and public notices in-house.
BY
SPONSORED
WEST! GO
Do you find yourself more than a little wistful when you look back on the ease of travel before kids came along? You may wonder whether it’s possible to enjoy similarly stress-free and adventurous travel as a family.
Writer, mom, and avid family traveler Molly White thinks it is — as long as parents identify the travel perspective that fits their family best.
One approach is to adapt your personal bucket list of adventures to fit the needs of your family. “Creativity is key here,” White says.
The other approach is to acknowledge that traveling with kids is a life stage, and to let their interests and needs drive your plans. “I know families on both ends of the spectrum,” says White. “The point is, both approaches are valid.”
Once you decide which approach is best for your family, “don’t compare your adventures to those of other families,” White says. “Before you start planning, sit down and make peace with what works for your family right now.”
How do you determine which travel approach is best for your clan? Pondering these questions may help:
• What is your budget and what compromises are you willing to make?
• What is your primary goal in traveling?
• What kind of travel will make you feel refreshed (and not regretful) when you get home?
White says, “Even for the most spontaneous and easygoing families, prudent expectations are usually what makes for a successful trip.”
Ready for adventure? Consider the pioneer call to “Go west!” In this travel issue we’ve got a destination to suit every family’s adventure level, from 80 miles to thousands of miles away.
SAN JUAN ISLAND
A
pig war and so much more
by JASMIN THANKACHEN
After our first weekend trip to San Juan Island, my family and I started counting the days until our next visit — the island felt that kid-friendly.
Our adventure started with the ferry ride to Friday Harbor from Anacortes (80 miles north of Seattle). Reserve your spot on the Washington State Ferries website. We took in the breathtaking views as the kids took laps around the ferry’s interior.
We chose a nondescript hotel in Friday Harbor; it suited our needs, and this trip was about fun, not fancy hotel rooms. But rest assured, the island has a wide range of family-friendly accommodation: Airbnbs, bed and breakfast inns, private cabins, hotels, and camping spots.
FRIDAY HARBOR
Friday Harbor is the central town on the island — charming streets lined with lights, bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and interesting murals on buildings. We loved our stop at Serendipity Book Store, where the shelves hold 50,000 books. You’re bound to walk out with
Friday Harbor Arrive on San Juan Island by ferry to Friday Harbor.
Baa, Baa
Amaro Farm offers a farm tour with their sheep.
Good Reads
new book to read among the 50,000 titles at Serendipity Book Store.
Road trip check off
by JULIE HANSON
My family ventured out on an 18-day, 4,000-mile road trip through seven states. Amazingly, at the end we were still speaking to one another! Here’s how we did it:
Make a plan: Decide the distance, the destination, how many stops you’ll make (both for rest and sleep), what you’ll see and what you’ll skip. Map it out. Try to stick to it, with a lot of flexibility. They’re kids.
Reserve accommodations:
Love the idea of driving until you’re ready to stop? Don’t, particularly with kids. You’ve got to know where you’re sleeping.
Consider joining a loyalty program. You’ll always know what to expect from your lodging, and you’ll earn benefits along the way.
Reserve, reserve, reserve: Google a cool cave tour or other attraction? Book it before you go. Even some national parks are requiring timed-entry reservations during peak season.
Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. A week or two before you leave, check oil, make sure tires are fully inflated, have a mechanic do a once-over, and otherwise ensure the car is safe and ready. Set screen/device time expectations. Figure this out in advance or you might hear yourself bellowing, “Why are you on your phone when there’s beautiful scenery all around us?!?”
Have a food plan for every day of the trip. Traveling with a cooler will give you more food options and take care of the calls of “I’m hungry” every hour. Set a budget. It should include food, gas, lodgings, fees for attractions, and some padding for emergencies. Consider whether you’ll want to treat your kids to souvenirs, have them buy their own, or some combination thereof.
Stop your mail and anything else that needs stopping (or arrange for someone to keep an eye on your house and mail).
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good reads for every age.
You’ll find dining options for every palette — everything from sushi and fish and chips to burgers and fancier fare. Downriggers offers stunning views and earned thumbs up for its chowder, burger, and short rib poutine. Further out, consider the Lime Kiln Cafe in Roche Harbor for breakfast or lunch; they’re known for their house-made donuts.
With two days to explore the island, here’s what landed on our itinerary:
AQUARIUM AT THE FERRY TERMINAL
It isn’t anything like the Seattle Aquarium, but the Spring Street Landing Aquarium is a wonderful window on the sea life surrounding the island. There’s a lot going on in one tank: you’ll find a wide range of interesting sea creatures. My older son marveled: “Every time I look, there’s something new.”
FARM TOURS AND VISITS
If you’ve got time, drive the island end-toend for views of rolling hills and valleys surrounding century-old barns and farmhouses. Several farms offer tours and animal experiences, including the Amaro Farm (sheep) and the Farm at Krystal Acres (alpacas).
WHALE WONDERS
The Whale Museum, located in the heart of Friday Harbor, is a must-see and the bluff at Lime Kiln Point State Park is a renowned sport for whale watching (see ROMP, pg. 9). A short hike in the park brings you to the
island’s lighthouse-turned-educational center (open in summer).
ROADSIDE ART
If you’re driving along Mitchell Bay Road, turn onto Westside Road toward San Juan County Park and keep your eyes open for some truly imaginative roadside sculptures by local artist Kevin Roth. The artist transforms everyday industrial scraps into amazing works of art — an old cement mixer liner becomes a giant orange fish, Strawberry House is complete with a wood stove, and a walk-in pineapple holds a small shelf of free books. Note: The sculptures are visible from the road but are on private property. Admire them from a respectful distance.
PARKS AND BEACHES
There are many options for exploring the beaches, history, and beauty of the island. The Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor had us walking through acres of art, and my kids clamored over driftwood to build dams at South Beach.
If you miss American Camp and English
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
If you plan to go island-hopping (San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez), it’s better to stop at San Juan Island first. Tickets from San Juan on the inter-island ferry are free, and the service is round-trip.
Beaches Explore the rocky shores and build driftwood houses at South Beach.
Camp, located at opposite ends of the island, you’ve missed important island history. Just say the words “pig war” to your kids, then explain that a war between Great Britain and the United States was almost started by a pig as soldiers co-occupied the island in 1859. At each camp, you step into that history. For a good-weather dip, Grandma’s Cove near American Camp is worth the trek. Steep steps led to a nearly private beach as the sun was settling into pink and yellow hues — boy, what a sight! Watch for low tide times.
Roadside Sculptures
Self-plan or use an agent?
by ALLISON PETERSON
It sounds so easy. Pick a destination, find kid-friendly hotels, read up on activities, book tickets, scour restaurants, and make reservations.
If you enjoy the thrill of the search and feel more comfortable controlling every aspect of your family trip, self planning may be the way to go. I relied on self-planning for shorter trips within the U.S. when our kids were small. If you choose this route, invite kids to participate in the travel research so they can be invested in the trip. Hint: Start scouting out airline tickets up to a year in advance; most travel deals peak at about 4-6 months prior to departure.
For longer trips, however, an old-fashioned travel agent that specializes in planning family vacations can really take the pressure off parents. In some cases they may be able to get you better deals on flights, accommodations, and attractions. Locally, Bellevue-based Global Family Travels focuses on planning trips that give families a mix of cultural and educational activities and community engagement. Costco Travel offers a variety of customizable family-friendly vacation packages.
Light It Up
The lighthouse at Lime Kiln Point State Park was built in 1919 and still helps ships navigate the Haro Strait.
Artist Kevin Roth transforms industrial scraps into works of art, like a walk-in pineapple.
100-500 MILES
VICTORIA,
BC
Port charm meets a spot of tea
by ALLISON PETERSON
If you are looking for an international travel experience that’s right under your nose, Victoria is just the ticket. As the Victoria Clipper whizzed us into Victoria Inner Harbour, we were met by the towering chateau-style presence of the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel, bagpipers on the dock, and Canada’s parliament building standing at attention, waiting to light up the night.
With its range of sights and activities, charming gardens, lush parks, and the call of daily scone-filled tea times, Victoria reflects its British heritage. It’s a destination with lodging to fit every budget, from small hotels to resorts to camping, so your family can customize its own dream vacation.
SO
MUCH TO DO
Inner Harbour is the city’s main hub. Here you’ll see families strolling the waterfront promenade, riding horse-drawn carriages, or sitting in cafes. In summer, water taxi captains perform a free water taxi ballet daily at 10:45 a.m. Hand your kids some Canadian dollars and encourage them to support the local buskers.
Just a 15-minute walk from Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf is a charming and eclectic over-water village. Quaint shops take you to another world, and kids will enjoy the adjacent waterfront park as well.
From there, it’s less than one mile on foot to The Royal B.C. Museum, where you can wander through life-size dioramas of regional history, deltas, forests, oceans and the animals that have inhabited them, including a wooly mammoth. If your kids love the mammoth, make reservations for Victoria’s Dino Lab where visitors learn from dinosaur experts while getting up close and hands-on with real fossils.
A
GREAT PAIR OF PARKS
Less than a mile from the inner harbour and covering more than 180 acres, Beacon Hill Park is the crown jewel of the B.C. Parks system. You’ll find miles of walking paths and bike trails, ducks and turtles swimming in the park’s many ponds, and blue heron nesting perches. There are
playgrounds and a splash pad, but nothing compares to the kid mecca that is the Children’s Farm — part petting zoo, part farm animal education center — in the center of the park. Hint: Consider renting bikes to really enjoy this park.
Then, a short 10-minute walk from the center of that park takes you to stunning seaside Clover Point Park. This delightful beach is the place to collect rocks, dip toes
TWO MUST-EATS
Canada’s oldest and most intact Chinatown lies in the heart of Victoria. It's tiny, but a great place to sample traditional Chinese food before you squeeze your way down Fan Tan Alley. With an entrance only three feet wide, it is the narrowest commercial street in North America.
in the sea, explore kelp beds, and build driftwood forts. Hint: Bring sturdy sandals or beach shoes for the quick but somewhat steep walk down to the beach from the clifftop parking area.
OUTSIDE THE CITY
Two of Victoria’s biggest attractions are about 30 minutes from downtown in the nearby village of Brentwood Bay. Butchart
Finally, no trip to Victoria is complete without a proper afternoon tea. You could splurge at the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel at $109 per person. But there are less expensive and equally tasty options, including afternoon cream tea at Piggy & Paisley for $27.
Palatial Gardens
Explore the flowers, find the hidden waterfalls, and ride the Rose Carousel at Butchart Gardens.
Gardens is world-famous and open year-round. Each season is a new reason to explore these palatial gardens and hidden waterfalls. Our kids spent hours, literally, playing hide and seek throughout the gardens — we allowed it, with a few conditions — then ended our visit with a ride on a vintage hand-carved animal on the Rose Carousel. Visiting in July or August? Butchart Gardens puts on a world-class fireworks show every Saturday evening.
Two words for Victoria Butterfly Gardens: must stop. It is one of the biggest kid draws in the region and well worth a visit. You’ll see a plethora of creatures, including tropical birds, poison dart frogs, an iguana and, of course, thousands of butterflies. One of our kids counted 15 different species as they landed on her. Over and over again, she exclaimed: “I can’t believe it!”
—Seattle's Child staff contributed to this article
A Seaside Park Explore the kelp beds at Clover Point Park.
Fairmont Empress Hotel
A towering-chateau style building on the edge of Victoria’s inner harbour.
Fan Tan Alley The narrowest commercial street in North America.
OREGON COAST
Day tripping is the way to go
by ELLIE WHITE
We took our vacation to the glorious Oregon Coast during spring break with one objective: outdoor time. The goal was easily met as we visited a handful of beaches and hit up hikes and trails, all within 30 minutes of the small vacation house in the quiet town of Netarts Bay, about 50 miles south of Cannon Beach.
The house was cozy — the dining room table didn’t fit all of us so we ate around the coffee table, using our cooler as seating — and it had a small view of the ocean, a rocky trail with stairs down to the water, and just enough room for our family of four (two adults and two four-year-olds).
THE DRIVE
It wasn’t the longest car ride our kids had ever experienced, but it was a solid five hours. On the way down, we stopped at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge in Olympia for a bathroom break and snacks; we listened to countless folktales on a podcast; and I brought new treats for us to try along the way. The result: A successful, non-eventful ride.
THE STOPS
I think the kids would have been just as happy going to the same beach every day — there is virtually no limit to the creativity of kids when it comes to sand, rocks, and water. But we discovered each beach stop was a little different, and it was nice to break the day up into morning and afternoon adventures, with some inside time to warm up and enjoy some quiet time.
OCEANSIDE
Oceanside, home of Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness, has several beaches to explore.
Word of Advice
Wear layers. We needed jackets at Cannon Beach on a blistering 96-degree day in Portland.
Cape Lookout Sweeping views of the ocean, with hiking trails throughout the park.
Tillamook Forest Center Explore a fire lookout, suspension bridge, a creek and trails. Admission is free.
100-500 MILES
Park at Oceanside Beach State Recreational Site to access Oceanside Beach. From there, you can walk through a man-made tunnel to access Tunnel Beach. The namesake tunnel, carved into the base of a rock formation, is partly paved and partly rocky. It’s a dark and wet journey through the tunnel. We felt like explorers venturing along the path. Prepare to go slowly, watch your step, and carefully guide your kids. Numerous seabird colonies live at Three Arch Rocks, so look for tufted puffins, common murres, and brown pelicans. It is also a breeding spot for Steller sea lions. To learn all about the animals in Three Arch Rocks, head to Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint (just a few miles up the road from Oceanside).
CAPE LOOKOUT STATE PARK
Think epic, sweeping views of the ocean, with a dramatic peninsula jutting into the water. Hiking trails run throughout the park. But we’ll have to go back for those. The day we tried a trail, the kids were not up for it. Be warned: we did get far enough to find one spot with a steep drop but no rails.
MUNSON CREEK FALLS
Just more than a half-hour drive from our vacation rental, Munson Creek Falls offered a great hike for families. The trail is relatively flat, and only a quarter-mile long, so it’s good for hikers of all ages and abilities. It can get quite wet. Bring rain suits just in case. We didn’t find a great spot to sit and enjoy the falls, but we enjoyed sitting by the river at the trailhead/parking lot, after the hike, for a quick picnic lunch.
After four nights, we loaded up our car and began the long drive back. We’d had a cold — but sunny — time at one of the most amazing destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
DAY TRIPPING BUDGET HACK
by JIAYING GRYGIEL
You want to visit the Oregon coast this summer but you didn’t book a cottage by the sea a year in advance? And you didn’t sell a kidney to pay for it?
Same.
My secret for a low-cost beach getaway is booking a room in a suburb of Portland, where hotels are cheap and plentiful. Hillsboro and Beaverton, both west of Portland off US-26, work well for this hack. Industrial office park chic! Not to mention the new Hidden Creek ParkWest inclusive playground in Hillsboro where the star of the park is an enormous climb-on, climb-in, slide-out monkey. Nicely done, Hillsboro.
Next, move down the coast on day trips, returning at night to your PDX ‘burb accommodation. Cannon Beach is a little more than an hour from Hillsboro.
I500-1,000 MILES
SAN FRANCISCO
Iconic sights, old and new
by JIAYING GRYGIEL
n the days before Zoom calls cluttered our calendars, Seattleites regularly hopped down to San Francisco for business meetings, there and back the same day.
The City by the Bay isn’t just for quick work trips any more, though. The 90-minute flights are inexpensive — as low as $75 — and there’s a lot for families in San Francisco.
Here are six good reasons to visit, from our family to yours:
1. YOUR FAMILY ENJOYS OLD ICONIC SIGHTS
Visit the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge, the famous cable cars at the Hyde Street turnaround, and Fisherman’s Wharf, stretching from Pier 33 to Ghirardelli Square and home to the city’s most quintessential landmarks.
The Wharf is where you’ll enjoy stunning views from the 150-foot SkyStar Wheel, clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at the flagship Boudin Bakery, and chocolate samples at the historic Ghirardelli Building (now a shopping center). Nearby at Pier 15, there’s great fun to be had at the Exploratorium. That's where we met artist Scott Weaver, who builds toothpick sculptures. We also made a cloud and found birthdays in the number pi.
Take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island and the crumbling cell house where Al Capone and other notorious criminals were incarcerated. Now a national historic landmark, the prison offers surprising access, including
Ghirardelli Sample chocolate at the Ghirardelli Building.
Chinatown Explore the wall murals in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the oldest in North America.
Exploratorium
Let your curiosity roam through the 600+ interactive exhibits.
California Academy of Sciences
A butterfly in the rainforest canopy.
an opportunity to try out a solitary confinement cell. Note: It’s best to buy tickets in advance.
2. YOUR FAMILY LOVES NEW ICONIC SIGHTS
Presidio Tunnel Tops, the 14-acre park sitting above the traffic on Highway 101, was opened in 2022. This stunning sight features a nature-inspired playground and jaw-dropping views of the bridge. Nearby Crissy Fields is a lovely sandy beach where you can watch kiteboarders take off.
3. YOU HAVE ARCADE GAME FANS
Kids will love the Musée Mécanique at Pier 45. It’s free to enter, and there is a change machine in case you require more quarters. The museum contains an impressive collection of antique arcade games, including some that may raise eyebrows today.
4. YOUR FAMILY LOVES MUSEUMS AND SCIENCE
You’ve had your fun at The Exploratorium. Next, the California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park will absolutely knock your socks off. Enter a rainforest greenhouse, where you’ll meet free-roaming macaws, bats, and giant spiders. Butterflies dance at the rainforest canopy. Take an elevator down below the water line, where an entire aquarium awaits.
HOW TO GET AROUND
If you stay in the city, don’t bother renting a car. Parking is a hassle, and the hotels charge steep overnight fees. If you road-trip down, don’t leave anything of value in your car.
It’s easy to get around with rideshares or public transportation. You’ll see self-driving Waymos zipping around the city; just download the app to take a ride. The hop-on, hop-off Big Bus stops at major landmarks like the Painted Ladies and crooked Lombard Street.
And if you think art museums aren’t for kids, you haven’t been to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. You will be shocked at how exciting it is. Here you will find artwork you can lie on, listen to, walk through, and, yes, even touch!
5. YOUR KIDS ARE ALL ABOUT GREEN SPACES
San Francisco is investing in gorgeous public parks, all free to visit. Salesforce Park is an oasis in the sky, poised on the roof of the transit center downtown and stretching more than four blocks. Take the free gondola ride up and stroll through 13 botanical ecosystems. Our favorite feature was the bus fountain: every time a bus passes below, it triggers a sensor that shoots up jets of water in the park. Golden Gate Park is the Central Park of San Francisco. Highlights of this enormous park include the California Academy of Sciences, the car-free John F. Kennedy Promenade, and the bison paddock.
6. YOU ALL LOVE ITALIAN FOOD
North Beach is San Francisco’s Little Italy, and it’s home to the world’s best pizza. Literally — Chef Tony Gemignani is an 11-time world pizza champion. Walking into Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is like being wrapped in a big, delicious hug (and save room for the cannolis). Our family’s other musteats along Washington Square include Victoria Pastry for Italian cookies by the pound and the legendary focaccia at Liguria Bakery.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Pack layers. There’s a reason people say, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”
After the pandemic, I was deterred by bad press surrounding San Francisco. It was unwarranted. Instead, we found a vibrant, safe and welcoming city on this family trip — and it's just one naptime away.
TRAVEL TIPS
Flying with kids
by ALLISON PETERSON
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over our years of international travel with kids, it’s that getting through a long flight can be. . . interesting. With a few tricks up your sleeve, however, your flight will go smoothly.
Start scouting out airline tickets up to a year in advance; most travel deals peak at about 4-6 months prior to departure.
For lightest airport traffic, fly Tuesday through Thursday.
Fly nonstop if possible.
If you can afford it, pay for a seat for your baby rather than holding them in your lap. Use your baby’s car seat, which offers safer positioning and familiar surroundings.
A rule of thumb: Keep luggage to one carry-on for older kids and a checked bag for an infant (to avoid juggling).
Take advantage of pre-boarding for families.
If traveling with an infant, request an airline seat at the bulkhead with a bassinet. The extra leg room and storage space in the bassinet will make your flight more comfortable.
Bring books, activity and coloring books, card games, art supplies, sticker books, fully-charged electronic devices (with charging cables), comfortable headphones, and your child’s blanket or comfort item.
Bring favorite snacks.
Take regular strolls up and down (and up) (and down) the aisles.
To avoid ear pain, nurse, bottle feed, or use a pacifier at take off and landing for infants. With older children, offer a snack, drink, candy, or a fun flavor of gum.
Remember: No flight lasts forever. Keep your eye on the prize: the incredible trip with your family that lies ahead.
500-1,000 MILES
SAN DIEGO
Sun and fun all year ‘round
by JIAYING GRYGIEL
San Diego: a city rarely too hot or cold and renowned for year-round sunshine. Between LegoLand, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, glorious beaches, and seemingly millions of kid-friendly things to do, San Diego is made for family travel. Here’s what we love in America’s Finest City:
HIT THE BEACH
After seeing what San Diego has, Seattle beaches are ruined for me. Here, it’s either frigid Puget Sound or lakes that close on and off because of high bacteria levels. Eww.
The beaches in San Diego are pristine. It’s like being on a movie set: palm trees, white sand, frothy waves, with water that’s actually warm enough for swimming. Put La Jolla Shores on your itinerary. It’s a milelong stretch of perfect lifeguarded beach — and has a big parking lot right there. Birch Aquarium is also by La Jolla Shores. Del Mar is another beautiful beach community, just north of La Jolla Shores. It is quieter and slower-paced. In San Diego itself, head to Coronado Beach by the iconic Hotel Del Coronado.
VISITING ANIMALS
The San Diego Zoo is epic. Of the 3,500 species that live here, its biggest celebrities are a pair of giant pandas, newly arrived in August. The zoo is also famous for having the largest koala colony outside Australia. Take a narrated double-decker bus tour and a soaring gondola ride. Both are included with admission.
The Zoo has a second campus, Safari Park, about 40 minutes north in Escondido. There’s more walking here, more gorgeous botanical gardens, more room for the animals to roam — plus the nicest volunteers. The Africa tram, included with admission, is pretty wild.
I’ll also mention SeaWorld with its eight captive orcas, although it’s a moral conundrum for some of us from the Pacific Northwest, where Southern Resident orcas are endangered.
ALSO IN SAN DIEGO PROPER
Padres games at Petco Park are great for kids if you’re in town during baseball season. There’s even a baseball-themed playground that opened earlier this year. Games start at just $6.
The USS Midway is a decommissioned aircraft carrier docked at Navy Pier. It’s like a floating small city. You can tour the warren of
CELEBRATE LEGOLAND’S 25TH
LegoLand is in Carlsbad, 30 minutes north of San Diego (okay, okay, an hour with traffic). This year it’s celebrating its 25th anniversary. Go if you’re a Lego fan and want a somewhat chill day at an amusement park. The park features impressive Lego builds, themed playgrounds, and hands-on building opportunities. The rides are tamer, so LegoLand is best for kids 12 and under. Bring Lego minifigures to trade with the employees and ask for free souvenir pop badges. Finally, we love that LegoLand is a certified autism center. All the rides post sensory ratings, and an assisted access pass is available at guest services.
rooms inside and explore historic aircraft on the flight deck. Friendly docents, most of them veterans, are posted everywhere.
You could spend days in Balboa Park alone, home of the San Diego Zoo plus 18 museums in a lovely urban park setting. What do your kids like? Hands-on science? Art? Natural history? Air and space? There’s a museum for every interest.
Belmont Park is a cute beachfront amusement park with a roller coaster, zip line, and arcade. Enjoy a day of rides, swimming, and renting bikes to ride along the boardwalk.
WHERE TO STAY
With kids, location is everything. We used the Hilton San Diego Bayfront as a home base because it checked off all the boxes: a pool, food on-site, and a quick drive to the city’s attractions. The hotel is across from Petco Park and an easy walk to restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter. From our room on the 24th floor, we could even watch the SeaWorld fireworks.
GETTING AROUND
Question: Should you rent a car for your San Diego adventure? Answer: It’s Southern California. You need a car.
HOW TO SCORE A DEAL IN SAN DEIGO
Buy a Go pass or CityPass to hit the hotspots for a lot less money.
Get discounted bundle tickets to see the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park and SeaWorld. Never pay full price for LegoLand tickets. They hand out coupons and discount codes like candy. Check the backs of little Lego packs, Lego stores, T-Mobile, AAA, Coca-Cola and more.
Leverage your Seattle memberships. A Pacific Science Center membership covers the Fleet Science Center and San Diego Natural History Museum. The San Diego Museum of Art is free with some Seattle Art Museum memberships.
October is Kids Free Month, during which kids get free admission and discounts at many museums, hotels, and restaurants—including LegoLand and the San Diego Zoo.
USS Midway
“Embracing Peace,” the 25-foot statue replica of the iconic World War II-era photograph of a kissing sailor and nurse.
HAWAII
Going way, way west on a budget
by JANET KIM
You may have heard that Hawaii is an incredible (and beautiful) place to explore. The problem is, a trip can be pricey. Here’s how a great family trip can be accomplished on a budget.
During a May trip, our family was able to combine airline miles and some companion passes to bring the airfare costs down. We also planned well in advance, booking budget-friendly places to stay and eat. Surprisingly, the activities we enjoyed while visiting Oahu and the Big Island weren’t terribly expensive. Here’s what we learned about Hawaii on a budget:
BOOK ACCOMMODATIONS STRATEGICALLY
In Oahu, we opted to stay in a town on the outskirts of Honolulu, at the Embassy Suites in Kapolei. Being on the outskirts means that you’ll be driving into the city where all the action is, but we liked being outside the hustle and bustle of busy downtown Honolulu and the Waikiki Beach area.
The benefits outweighed the inconvenience. The hotel costs were about half the price of staying downtown and we felt more like locals.
On the Big Island, we stayed at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort. We used Costco Travel and found a package deal that included the daily resort fees and our rental car. While there were cheaper options, we found the convenience made up for it. With
great amenities and beach access, you’d never have to leave the resort.
PACK YOUR ITINERARY WITH SAND
Hawaii is synonymous with the words public beaches. Free sand for all. Check rules for resort beaches before setting up your tent. Bring your own pop-up shaded cabana and snorkeling or sand-play gear to save on rentals. My kids were content to watch the waves hit their feet and play in the sand, so they were “cheap dates.” We enjoyed several famous and free beaches, including:
• Waikiki Beach, Oahu
• White Plains Beach, Oahu
• Punalu’u County Beach Park, the Big Island
EXPLORE LOW-COST OR FREE HISTORIC LANDMARKS
I love that many of the historic landmarks, like the Dole Plantation and Pearl Harbor, offer free entrance. On the Big Island, the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo was a wonderful and free gem (donations welcome). Admission to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is $35 per vehicle, as are all national park entrances. But. . . get your fourth grader a free pass through the Every Kid Outdoors Annual Pass Program to save on family entrance fees.
CATCH FREE SHOWS OR CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Traditional luaus can be pretty spendy. Yes, they offer a beautiful show and a fancy buffet meal, but there are some free options
to catch a hula show. Check out these free entertainment options:
• Kuhio Beach Hula Show Saturdays and first and third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
• Queen’s Marketplace Mondays at 6 p.m. at Coronation Pavilion, Big Island
We also took advantage of our resort programs that offered a free cultural walk and ukulele lessons.
EAT LIKE A LOCAL
Food can really add up. We shopped for some grocery essentials upon arriving, then found we could save a lot by eating like the locals. For example, the Foodland grocery store on Oahu is said to have some of the best poke on the island. Locals lined up to get this fresh fish delicacy, so I knew it was legit. We weren’t disappointed.
Before you go, research cheap eats. (For example, Google “Cheap eats ideas on Oahu” to find a long list of Reddit readers’ favorites.) Once you’re there, ask locals about their favorite hole-in-the-wall places.
Food, like a dream vacation, doesn’t have to break the bank.
Volcanoes National Park View the beautiful colors in the craters.
Splish, Splash Take advantage of resort offerings, like the pool at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort. Dole Plantation Enjoy pineapple ice cream at the Dole Plantation in Oahu.
Explore the enriching environment of BCA’s Summer School, open to both BCA and non-BCA students. We offer six oneweek sessions with class sizes capped at 10-16 students. Our personalized approach ensures that each child receives focused attention. Daily activities include core academic subjects such as English and math, complemented by project-based learning in science and social studies, aligned with the session’s theme. For added convenience, aftercare and lunch services are available, all within a nurturing setting managed by our dedicated staff.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, we believe in offering highquality programs that cater to the diverse interests of youth of all ages. We provide specialized camps in areas like cooking, videography, automotive, travel, sports, and more. These theme camps offer hands-on experiences that not only keep kids entertained, but also help them build valuable skills that will last a lifetime. With something for every age group, our goal is to make sure every child feels included, inspired, and ready to make the most of their summer. Sign up today and give your child the opportunity to learn, grow, and have a summer to remember.
BIRDS CONNECT SEATTLE NATURE CAMP
Ages 5-13
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Shoreline North Seattle College, Seattle Explorer West Middle School, Seattle (206) 523-4483, naturecamp@birdsconnectsea.org birdsconnectsea.org
Nature Camp emphasizes experiential outdoor activities that are playful, educational, and nature focused. Each week centers a different theme, including birds, oceans, insects, forests, ecosystems, and art. Your child may dissect an owl pellet, create a mural from natural materials, explore tidepools, admire local invertebrate adaptations, and much more! Scholarships are available. Our experienced and caring Naturalists are excited to welcome your children for a summer of outdoor fun and exploration.
GIRLS ROCK MATH
Grades 1-6
3201 E. Republican St., Seattle (206) 408-8078 camp@girlsrockmath.org GirlsRockMath.org
Girls Rock Math is an arts-based math camp focused on empowering girls in STEAM subjects. Our hands-on themes capture the imagination, ignite deeper mathematical thinking, and help campers feel confident in their abilities. As part of a community where “Girl Power” rules, our campers develop leadership skills, make friends, take on challenges, and learn together in a meaningful way. With so many curricular themes to choose among, there is truly something for everyone.
THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP
Ages 10-16
1415 Summit Ave., Seattle (206) 816-6070
Northwestschool.org/summer
Explore, learn, and connect—locally and globally!
Ready for a summer camp that’s fun, engaging, and full of possibilities? Dance, make music, act onstage, and bring your artistic vision to life. Dive into marine biology, design a robot, or learn capoeira. Whatever sparks your curiosity, it’s all possible this summer!
Ages 5-17
Various Locations info@rectennis.com rectennis.com
Our Summer Tennis Camps are the perfect way for kids and tennis players ages 5-17 to stay active, make friends, and have fun during the summer. Using age-appropriate equipment and grouping players by age and ability, our camps ensure everyone progresses at their own pace. Whether learning the game for the first time or refining techniques, participants enjoy a fun, supportive atmosphere that promotes healthy lifestyles, fosters social connections and inspires a lifelong love of tennis.
RECTENNIS POWERED BY USTA PNW
CANCUN
Are all-inclusives worth it?
by CHERYL MURFIN
According to several sources, the average cost per person for a one-week vacation in the U.S. is $1,000-$2,000. For a family of four, you’re looking at spending around $4,000 to $8,000 when all the transport expenses, food, lodging, and activities are tallied. Go international, and those costs can soar to upwards of $10,000.
And then there’s the investigating, planning, the reserving, and the booking. When my kids were growing up, those tasks took hours, those hours were steeped in stress, and no matter how much we tried, we always spent far more than we had budgeted.
‘NOT A CHANCE,’ I SAID
If someone had told me when my kids were young, “Try an all-inclusive resort for a week,” I would have laughed out loud. In my mind, the words “all-inclusive” and “resort” meant “way too expensive” and “a vacation cop-out rather than an adventure.”
I stand corrected after going to check out Club Med’s all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico.
Like many other all-inclusive resorts, this one is designed for families. And all-inclusive means just that. Everything essential is included in the price — all food, rooms, flights, airport pick-up, kid and adult beverages, shows and other entertainment, and in-resort activities.
The three families I met spent their time this way: As parents enjoyed the time to themselves (snorkeling, sailing, yoga, Fitness Bootcamping, playing volleyball, tennis or pickleball, kayaking, and beach lounging), their kids ages 4 to 10 spent hours safely playing under the supervision of uber enthusiastic staff in the Mini Club Med program. Tweens and teens had their own activity programs and spaces, which allowed them to meet, connect and move about the resort within a single cloud of Axe deodorant. Everywhere I looked, no matter when I looked, the bigs and the littles were having a blast together or in peer groups.
And while vacationing in a resort is definitely not the same as seeing the authentic culture of a country,
family-friendly excursions (at an added cost) delivered these families to a sea turtle sanctuary, the world wonder of Chichén Itzá, open air and underground river cenotes, and other sites beyond the resort walls. Danielle Cumings and her family have gone on several all-inclusive vacations in the last 15 years — including Club Med Cancun. “We’re a very active family,” she said. “We enjoy the fact that we can be active together or go our own ways.”
A grandmother I met agreed: “This is a wonderful place. I get to spend quality time with each family member; we gather together for meals and share stories.”
COST
Searching for May 2025, I found a deal for a week at Club Med Cancun for two adults and two kids recently listed at about $4,000. Total. Resorts often do last-minute sales and discounts that may lower costs. You could pull together a weeklong vacation for four in another country for under $4,000. Still, a lot of us would be hardpressed to do it. I priced self-booking daily snorkeling, sailing, archery, circus school, and other activities, three meals a day and all snacks, adult beverages, accommodations, and entertainment (show, acrobats, musical artists) and, in some packages, flights, and came in at just over $10,000.
Not to mention, kids under four stay free at Club Med (added cost for Mini Club Med program) and at many other resorts.
FOOD
Two words: massive buffet. There was a baby-feeding station with pureed foods. There were ample kid favorites and lots of adventurous foods.
ACTIVITIES
Family vacations are about “doing.” At most all-inclusives you can participate in as many activities as you want, as many times as you wish. If your kid loves snorkeling in blue, fish-filled waters, she can, every day. Not to mention that during a week stay, family-friendly resorts shine on the community-building fun front — variety shows, beachside BBQs, and color-themed parties.
AUTONOMY
Anna, a mother of three, summed up the pros for her family:
“My kids are safe; I can sit here and sip a mai tai at noon, take a nap, and not worry about them,” she said. “My husband and I can spend time together, which is hard with three kids. Our daughter (15) can ignore us and be cool with other kids, then join us at dinner and be glad to be there.”
Enough said.
Mayan History Visit Chichén Itzá, a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people.
Color Party Kids get messy during a Club Med Cancun color party.
Feet in the Sand
The morning beach at Club Med Cancun. By 10 a.m. the chairs are filled with families.
Kids under 12 ride free
by JENNA VANDENBERG
Need a reason to go to Europe with kids? Here’s a good one: Kids ride free on a Eurail Pass, the train pass that allows visitors to travel along European railways and ferry networks for a set number of days.
I have an 11-year-old, and last year, we decided it was time to ride the rails. During our trip, my family explored Versailles, took funiculars to Swiss villages, and battled a historic heatwave in Milan.
I planned some parts of the trip perfectly. Other aspects, like the 100-degree night in Lugano without air conditioning, weren’t so perfect. Here is what I learned from our Eurailing expedition:
BEST TIME TO GO EURAILING
If possible, plan your Europe trip for the outer edges of peak season (April and October) or even the off-season (November to March) when prices are likely to be lowest. Edmonds-based travel guru Rick Steves offers useful information and tips on Eurail Passes on the blog Rick Steve’s Europe. Passes are available on his site.
PREPARATION AND EXPECTATIONS
Kids enjoy European sights more if they recognize them. The bridges over the Seine thrilled my girls because they’d seen them in Ratatouille. We’d read about the Duomo, so seeing it in real life was a treat. We discovered that watching documentaries and reading about the places we’d be traveling is a must-do. Also helpful: picture books set in Europe.
I avoided showing my kids gorgeously edited Instagram reels. Sometimes, the key to happiness is having low expectations. I also warned them that parts of the trip would be hot, boring, and crowded.
TRIP PLANNING
You can book your Eurail Passes 11 months before your travel dates, and travel agents recommend that you do so as early as possible. Here are more tips:
Attractions: Buy advance tickets online for the best deals and time slots. Advance tickets for the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and the Louvre saved hours of waiting in line.
Accommodations: Scout out public pools or swimming holes ahead of time and book stays near them. Air conditioning is less common in Europe, so specify that amenity when booking hotels if it’s a must-have.
Flights: If meals and bedtimes are irregular, things get shaky with my kids. Our Seattle-to-Paris flight with only a quick transfer resulted in kids who were nauseous for a day and jetlagged for another three. On the way home, we had a 24-hour layover in Iceland, which was lovely. We got a hotel, had a normal meal, and were ready to travel again the next day. I wish we’d done the long stopover on the
Versailles
Buying advance tickets online saved hours of waiting in line for attractions like Versailles.
Ratatouille
Kids enjoy seeing landmarks that they recognize from movies, like the bridges over the Siene from Ratatouille.
way to Europe.
HITTING THE RAILS
The ease of hopping on a train and seeing an entire country out the window seemed miraculous to us road-tripping Americans. The Eurail app is intuitive, and the service is reliable. Global Eurail Passes start at $235 (for four travel days). Kids ride free if your trip begins before their 12th birthday. While the Eurail is good for 33 countries, some local trains are not covered. Check details at 3Eurail.com. One more thing: Be prepared to haul luggage up steps and stow at your feet. Pack light!
Reservations: Most Eurail trips don’t require reservations, but some popular connections require seat reservations with a fee. While there is room for spontaneity, planning an itinerary within the app is a good idea. The best trips mix big cities, tiny towns, and everything in between.
Cities: Don’t fly into the city you’re most excited about. We started with four days in Paris, and our 9-year-old took four long Parisian naps. Saving The City of Lights for later, once everyone was acclimated, would have been a better idea.
Tiny towns: Small towns offer the best moments for authentic connections. Despite not having a common language, we spent a weekend in Konzen, Germany (population 994), and became fast friends with the baker across the street.
A TRIP THEY’LL REMEMBER
Traveling as a family in Europe was a joy. Kids make you forgo a jam-packed tourist itinerary and slow down. You’ll leave Europe with a handful of memories; your kids will gain the knowledge that the world is open to them to explore.
Joyful journeying with a neurodiverse child
by ALLISON PETERSON
A few years ago, one of our children was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. We’ve learned there are a few extras for families traveling with a neurodiverse child: extra planning, extra high sensory, and extra adapting to changes. We’ve also learned that with a few intentional adjustments, travel is possible and enjoyable!
Involve kids in planning: Leaving the comfort of our routine and the consistency of daily life at home is difficult for my neurodiverse child. Having a say in the planning helps to resolve fears or questions related to our travel. Before we travel, we research the location we’ll be visiting together. I create an itinerary so my kids will know what to expect each day: where we will be, what we will be doing, and who we will be seeing. When possible, I also add photos of the places we will be visiting so there will be (fewer) surprises along the way.
Timing is everything: Many neurodiverse children have specific times of day when they are better able to regulate their behaviors and emotions. Whenever possible, we plan the bulk of our travel and activities for the afternoon — mornings can be hard for my neurodiverse child — to reduce likelihood of meltdowns and behavior challenges during what is already a stressful situation.
Packing priorities: Bring the items your neurodiverse child uses on a regular basis for comfort, self-regulation, or de-stressing. For example, fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, a nightlight, a portable sound machine, and especially that stuffed animal your child can’t sleep without (from someone who has been there and done that, TRUST ME, you don’t want to forget the stuffed animal). Also ensure you have adequate medication, supplements, and special foods for dietary needs to get you through your trip. Pack all of your necessary items (that are not quickly and easily replaced) in a bag that is easily accessible at all times.
Special services and accommodations, ask for help: The TSA Cares Program is a free service available at all domestic airports in the
United States. This program aims to help travelers with special needs or disabilities to have a safe and smooth experience getting through airport security. To sign up for the program, you simply need to fill out a form, online, within 72 hours of your scheduled flight. When you register for TSA Cares, you will be connected with a specially trained TSA agent at your airport who will adjust the screening process for your specific needs, for example, low- or no-touch security screening.
Many travel destinations (like Disneyland) offer support services for neurodiverse people. Call to see what accommodations may be available before heading out on your adventure.
Allow space: The first thing we do when we arrive at our lodging is to designate a space where our neurodiverse child can go to be alone. It is important for them to know they have a safe space where they can retreat if they need to rest or self-regulate away from others. For our family, that means that we rent vacation houses with separate bedrooms instead of shared hotel rooms.
Providing a space to rest and recover: When our family travels we usually plan one activity or outing per day so there are opportunities for downtime. We also schedule rest days with no planned activities so we can truly go with the flow, even if that flow is just a lot of naps and pool time. Be willing to adjust your itinerary if the need arises.
There is a wide world out there to explore. My kids collected half a dozen stamps in their passports before they were potty trained. We’ve learned that with the right preparation neurodiverse families can fully enjoy travel together (extras included).
TRAVEL TIPS
Swiss Villages The author with her daughters in the mountains of Switzerland.
Extra Planning Involve kids in the planning and itinerary so they know what to expect.
